Chelsea's Moises Caicedo Hailed as Untouchable World-Class Talent: 'Who Can Match Him?'
Moisés Caicedo has elevated himself to be regarded as one of the world's elite players, according to Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and fellow teammate Robert Sánchez.
Caicedo set a Premier League transfer record when his £115 million move from Brighton & Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge was completed in summer 2023, though this benchmark has subsequently been surpassed twice. However, it's now that the Ecuadorian midfielder is beginning to validate that hefty price tag.
"Moi is demonstrating his exceptional quality," Maresca commented on Saturday following Chelsea's 1–0 victory against a Tottenham Hotspur team that has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign.
"He's elite. I've mentioned repeatedly, the finest aspect of Moi is certainly how we assess him during matches. But his humility is remarkable, he's an outstanding individual, always ready to assist his teammates. In my opinion, both he and Rodri represent the world's premier defensive midfielders at this time."
Maresca collaborated with Rodri while serving as an assistant at Manchester City and consequently has intimate knowledge of the Spanish player, who claimed the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Considering Rodri's recent injury setbacks and challenges returning to peak condition following an ACL injury 14 months prior, one could argue that Caicedo currently holds the edge.
His sustained excellence likely demonstrates that the controversy surrounding his recent agent change confirmation, which sparked unfounded rumors about a potential departure from Stamford Bridge, hasn't impacted his performances.
Maresca isn't alone in his acclaim. Chelsea keeper Sánchez went beyond suggesting Caicedo ranks among the elite, declaring he is the finest.
"I don't need to elaborate much about him, but he's an absolute machine," Sánchez observed, having previously partnered with the 24-year-old at Brighton. "He's the world's premier player in that role. He's among the global elite—who surpasses him in that position? He's a powerhouse. Every contested ball, every tackle he dominates while maintaining excellent composure with possession.
"I haven't noticed significant changes in him. Both as a footballer and person, he's remained consistent—dedicated, hardworking, reserved yet genuinely good-natured. Naturally, he's developed physically with maturity, and through experience, his on-field performance has continuously improved. His self-assurance has also steadily grown. He's masterful at controlling the midfield battle."
Makélélé, Kanté… Caicedo?
Chelsea have previously featured two of the Premier League's greatest defensive midfielders in Claude Makélélé and N'Golo Kanté, both championship winners with the London club.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp proposed after Saturday's victory that Caicedo is performing at a standard comparable to these Chelsea icons.
"Exceptional quality," Redknapp enthused. "I'd venture to say presently, he's the finest of his category globally. Simply outstanding—his ground coverage, determination, ball skills, problem-solving for his squad, pursuing hopeless situations, physical strength in possession, consistently delivering accurate passes.
"When you're defending and have someone like that cleaning up ahead of you while contributing such quality, it's simply perfect, absolutely perfect.
"He needed some adjustment time initially—but now I believe he's among the elite. They've featured Kanté, Makélélé, some of the premier defensive midfield talents at this club in recent years."